Deciding whether or not to move from your home is less about the material home and more about the future you see for yourself, according to gerontologist Janice Goldmintz.

“How do you see your future and your future for yourself?” Janice asked the audience at a complimentary webinar. “What holds you back from deciding ‘should I stay or should I go?’”

In the webinar, which you can view a free recording of, Janice outlined some of the main reasons seniors may have a hard time deciding if now is the time for them to move out of their family home, especially if it is into a retirement residence. Downsizing, losing independence, and admitting a lifestyle change is needed are all big factors. However, none of these need to be as mountainous as they may originally seem.

Many retirement homes are happy to connect seniors with professional movers, downsizers, house stagers, and realtors that they have worked within the past. If you or a loved one is considering moving to a retirement residence or seniors’ apartment, it’s good to speak with the sales team about any hesitancies you’re having. Letting them know about your barriers will give them a chance to try and find solutions for you — whether you move into their residence or not.

Rather than signaling a loss of independence and lifestyle changes, a retirement residence is the opposite. The move can save you money in the long run, especially if you need to make a lot of changes to your home to stay there.

“You want to make sure that where you live is safe and familiar,” Janice said. “When you think of your health challenges now, you want to think about whether they are short term or long term.”

It is possible to stay in your home and make adjustments to make it safer and easier to navigate: bath benches, shower handles, ramps, stairlifts, and elevators could help you stay in your home longer. However, they come at an expense.

Retirement homes are designed to be both warm and welcoming as well as easy to navigate. Safety bars and bath benches should already be installed, meaning your new home is already safe — both for now and in the future. Home maintenance, snow shovelling, groceries, cooking, cleaning, and repairs are already factored into the monthly rent, meaning there are no financial surprises or unwanted chores for you to worry about, giving you more time to spend doing the things you love most.

“Think about the things you gain and lose by moving,” Janice said. Some seniors may have a hard time giving up items if they need to downsize. They may think they have to give up gardening or hosting annual family dinners.

Most retirement residences have private dining rooms residents can use for gatherings with their friends or family. If you love to cook, see if the residence has a craft kitchen you can use. If you love to garden, ask about tending to one of the flower beds. Many locations have raised flower beds for seniors to enjoy.

There are also direct lifestyle gains in retirement. It’s easier to travel, knowing your home will be waiting for your return. Any health concerns can be easily seen to and fitness programs are available. On top of the eliminated chores, there are also a variety of social programs available if you want to connect with your peers. However, all social programs are optional and you’re welcome to instead spend the day out at your favourite golf course or inside with your favourite book.

“Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, and it’s your vision for you,” Janice said.

No one can decide to stay or go for you; instead, you need to think about how you envision your best life now and in the future.

Want to watch the webinar? Register here and receive a copy of the full webinar and our exclusive Guide to Senior Living!